Ryan and Heather: Sneak Peek! - Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

I've been working like a madman cranking out all the edits from my August weddings! I'm in the process of editing my fourth and final wedding from the month.  It was a 15 hour day so there are LOTS of pictures to go through.  This wedding was so much fun and full of details! Heather has to be the most organized bride I've ever seen.  And . . . I loved it! Here's a little sneak peek to get everyone all excited:

Heather and Ryan married!

And what caused this surprised reaction from the bride?!

It's all coming up soon! Right here on the blog.

~ Lori from E! Entertainment News . . . Pahaha!

Desiree and Walt Engaged! - Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago I met up with Desiree and Walt for engagement pictures.  I had NO idea what I was in for!  I met Desiree at the Wendy's at the bottom of Lookout and followed her up the mountain to the Lula Lake Land Trust, her location of choice.  I had never seen this place so I was excited for the opportunity to photograph at a new location.  So here we go up the mountain and I'm just boppin' away to my music when Desiree makes a sudden stop roadside. Obviously, she had missed her turn and needed to turn around . . . or so I thought.  As I rolled down my window to see what our next move was, Desiree shouted "Ok, we're here but Walt will have to open the gate!" With wide eyes, I replied, "Uh . . . . alrighty."

Out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly see this transformer (I mean truck) pull up beside me. Out jumps Walt.  As we make brief introductions, Walt unlocks the gate.  "You might want to drive slow. It's a little bumpy," Desiree advises.  "Well I sure do love an adventure," I shouted back.

So here we go OFF-ROADING! I felt as though I should have been playing Frank Sinatra's "You Make Me Feel So Young" in honor of my old Camry.  It was definitely the most action it's gotten in a LONG time. LOL!  Once we got parked, Desiree explained to me that Walt's job was to help preserve and maintain such areas like this land trust . . . hence the huge truck that I eventually got to ride in. Hysterical!  Anyway, here are a few of my favorites from their session.  I can't wait to shoot their wedding this October!

Desiree's dress was the perfect color for this venue :)

Love this next picture! Shows a great sense of place.

I challenged Desiree and Walt to be lovey-dovey without kissing on the lips the first half of their session.  I adore how cuddly they look in all their pictures!

Isn't Desiree beautiful?! She's such a sweet spirit.

My challenge for this session: Shooting into the sun.  I generally shy away from doing this because it's hard to make my camera focus.  I was REALLY determined though.

See! Don't they look cuddly?

Woot woot! Check out this view!

I adore how Walt's holding Desiree's hand to his chest! Grrrowl . . .

Boo-yah! Check out that sun-flare! haha! 

These next 2 pictures kinda scare me but are quite scenic!

John Carl and Family: Take 1

Last month I received the opportunity to come shoot John Carl and his family.  John Carl is about 3 months old and is SUCH a cutie!  Both times that I have visited John Carl, he has been in great spirits! Every time I would touch his little hand, he would smile from ear to ear :) His mother Kate purchased a "Baby's First Year Package" so I was relieved that John Carl always smiles when I'm around.  John Carl also has an older sister Olivia who doesn't seem to like my camera as much. Olivia was making her way upstairs when Kate and I started discussing getting a "belly shot" of John Carl. Olivia stopped dead in her tracks, backed up a little, and with wide eyes shyly asked, "Mom . . . what's a belly shot?" Immediately, Kate and I had to back that train up and explain that we weren't talking about an "ouchy shot" but rather a picture.  I don't think Olivia bought it.  Note to self on calling pictures "shots" around children, huh?  I have 3 more times to convince Olivia that I'm not the "bad guy." haha! Anyway, here are a few of my favorites from our first session:

Meet John Carl! I could not stop crackin' up taking this picture! His expression reminds me of my dad! Kinda weird.

This kid has so many cute facial expressions!

If Pooh Bear suddenly became human, I think this is what he would look like.  haha!

I LOVE this next picture.  John Carl's just propping himself up on his boppy pillow.  He looks so gangsta like he's waiting for his ma to make him a sandwich or something.

John Carl getting changed.  His eyes look amazing!

There are SO many captions that could go along with this next one. I'll let you use your imagination.

Always happy!

Meet Olivia! She was dressed to go to her gymnastics class.  She loves feeding her fish :)

Showing us what she had been learning in class.  LOL!

Bouncing on her pink bed!

Playing with her play-doh and still not so sure about my camera.

A family photo including the grandparents :)

What a beautiful family!

The next one just spoke to me so I had to post it.

I love how the light comes through Olivia's hair in this next one.

Oh and I can't forget about Olivia's pink photo.  This was her ONE request :)

Chris and Melissa Married! - Knoxville Wedding Photographer

As the sun disappeared over the horizon, I sat on the hill that had once been filled with wedding guests.  It had been a long day and I didn't care to sit in the grass and just be for awhile.  The view of the blue lake amongst the green mountains reminded me of Neverland from Disney's Peter Pan.  It seemed strange to me that in front of what looked like Neverland, where kids never grow up, a marriage ceremony had commenced.  Melissa was no longer the girlfriend of my sister that threw birthday sleepovers at the Super 8 Motel.  And I was no longer the annoying younger sister who begged to come along.  Time had made us older, shaping us into what we are today.

Melissa was beautiful for the day she had been dreaming of.  The sky was blue with white puffy clouds. The grass was green and luscious.  The entire day seemed filled with a vibrance that matched Melissa's personality.  And, as is his character, Chris was floating around the ceremony and reception sight making sure the details were perfect for his bride.  

Chris and Melissa decided to have a private "first look" before the ceremony, which I LOVED!  I was able to get far more pictures of the bride and groom than usual.  Melissa and Chris had been on the fence whether to see each other or not before the ceremony.  Luckily, they decided to trust me, allowing me more time to capture some creative images.  Here are a few favorites from the day.  To see more from their wedding, click here for the SLIDESHOW.

Melissa putting on her Maggie Sottero dress.

I love how pleased Melissa looks in this picture.  She's like, "Yeah, I make this dress look good." hahaha!  :)

Gotta get some details!

Melissa putting on her garter.

I love this next shot! The shadow of the blinds makes it look like there are rays of light radiating from Melissa's body.  

Melissa adding on some finishing touches to her hair.

Not gonna lie . . . rocked the ring shot!  Am I allowed to say that about my own work?!  I've been practicing detail shots so it's nice when they turn out right.

Melissa's bouquet.

Ok, I am really starting to see a pattern of differences between males and females when it comes to group shots.  I get so tickled thinking about how we are as women.  My directions for this picture were to get in a line, link arms with the bride, walk towards me, and look like you're having fun.  After 20 minutes and multiple questions from uncertainty, this is the picture that finally surfaces.  Hooray!  We did it!

Now, I move on to photographing the guys.  The scenario went as follows: "Ok guys, I'm looking to get a group shot of all of you but I don't want it to look too posed.  I'm looking for something relaxed, a little GQ, and on the count of 3 I want you to strike a pose.  Any questions?"

Cricket, cricket.

"Good.  On the count of 3 . . . 1, 2, 3!"

Guys strike pose. Camera clicks.

"Awesome.  See you at the ceremony!"

Look at how they get down to business :) LOL!

I am in love with the next 3 pictures!  This is the result from having a "first look" between bride and groom.  The sky would have not looked like this after the ceremony and group shots.  So glad they chose to see each other before! 

Ceremony site!

Chris is saying his vows to Melissa.  Her face is precious as she listens :)

An overview.

First kiss as man and wife! Love the blue lagoon/lake in the background.  The ceremony site was at a private residence in Rock Harbor Subdivision in New Tazewell, TN.

I finally got everyone to GQ it!

Got some more time with the bride and groom around sunset!  By seeing each other before and knocking out a majority of their pictures, Melissa and Chris were able to mingle with their guests right away, keeping a nice flow of events at their reception.  When the "sweet light" hit, we were able to grab a few more pictures. 

Looks like a glossy page ad to me! :)

So romantic!

A bubble blowing send-off! Love these two!